(BA) Bachelor of Arts
English Language with Media Communication (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
English
BA QP11
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Mr Conrad Hechter Heyns
Director - Centre for Academic Language and Literacies
Goldsmiths, University of London
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- Introduce students to contemporary linguistic approaches to the study of language.
- Develop students' knowledge and understanding of the linguistic structure of English.
- Develop students’ knowledge of the communicative functions and varieties of English.
- Develop students' knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation, evaluation criteria, methods and materials used in relevant English Language work.
- Develop students’ ability to apply knowledge and methodological approaches from Linguistics, Government, Literature, Marketing, and Sociology to the interpretation of media texts.
- Develop students’ knowledge of how the media are used for literary, political, or business purposes, depending on the optional modules taken.
- Equip students with a range of transferable cognitive, practical and key skills, and a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Developing an understanding of contemporary work on linguistic structure and other aspects of English
A2: Developing systematic knowledge of key concepts, issues, ideas, theories, styles of argumentation, methods used in English Language research
A3: Learning about the communicative functions and varieties of English
A4: Understanding of how the English language is used in the media
A5: Understanding how the media are used for literary purposes
A6: Understanding how the media are used for political purposes
A7: Understanding how the media are used for business purposes
A8: Understanding of the different roles that the media play in cultural life and society
A9: Understanding of research methods, techniques and data analysis in English Language through specialised study in the final year in areas students have identified as being of particular interest
Learning methods
A1-A4 are developed in LG modules through lectures, seminars and classes.
A5 is developed in LT courses through lectures, classes and continuously assessed coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors).
A6 is developed in GV modules through lectures, classes and seminars.
A7 is developed in BE modules through lectures, seminars and classes.
A8 is developed in SC modules through lectures, seminars and classes.
A9 is developed through the LG project (LG831), where students benefit from supervision during all stages of project preparation.
Note: Given that only LG and SC modules are compulsory, learning methods A5, A6 and A7 will not apply to students who will not take LT, GV or BE modules as options.
Assessment methods
A1-A7 are judged and evaluated in every piece of assessed work that the student has to do as part of this programme.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Summarise and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet etc.)
B2: Compare competing theories and explanations
B3: Develop a reasoned argument
B4: Assemble, evaluate and interpret evidence
Learning methods
Skills B1-B4 are developed in all modules in this programme.
Learning methods are lectures which will involve group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class, and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in academic support hours and via email.
Assessment methods
Outcomes B1 to B4 are judged and evaluated in every piece of assessed work that the student has to do as part of this programme.
C: Practical skills
C1: Retrieve relevant information using bibliographic and web searches
C2: Summarise, report and evaluate arguments, texts and findings
C3: Design, conduct and write up a small-scale piece of research
Learning methods
Skills C1-C2 are developed in all modules in this programme.
Skill C3 is mainly developed in modules LG222 (‘Language in the Media’) and LG831 (‘Project: Linguistics’). Earlier LG modules provide the conceptual and research-methods knowledge necessary to conduct these projects.
Learning methods are lectures and seminars which will involve group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class, and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in academic support hours and via email.
Assessment methods
Outcomes C1 and C2 are judged and evaluated in every piece of assessed work that the student has to do as part of this programme.
Outcome C3 is judged and evaluated in module ‘Language in the Media’ and LG831 (‘Project: Linguistics’).
D: Key skills
D1: Verbal and written communication skills
D2: Use of widely used as well as specialised software; familiarity with internet searches; familiarity with online media software
D3: Statistical data analysis
D4: Problem solving
D5: Working with others
D6: Improving own learning and performance
Learning methods
Verbal communication skills (D1) are developed through group tasks involving oral presentation, group discussion, and engaging in organised debates in the seminars.
Written communication skills (D1) are developed primarily through essays.
D2 is developed via students’ introduction to and use of both widely used (e.g., Word, Excel) and specialised (e.g., SPSS) software as well as internet searches and use of online media (e.g., Twitter) to access content discussed in their courses.
D3 is developed via the statistical data analyses involved in some of the projects students will conduct.
D4 are developed principally through specific problem based exercises and projects given to the students.
D5 is developed in student group projects and presentations as well as group work in seminars.
D6 is developed through the use of formative feedback on seminar activities and coursework as well and thanks to receiving advice from instructors.
Assessment methods
All skills (D1-D6) are formally assessed via coursework assignments.